Hogshead loader and compactor



H. G. BELL ET AL HOGSHEAD LOADER AND COMPACTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet l FiledJune lO, 1954 INVENTORS. IARY Gbr-Hel E ..351 l.

ATrozNEYs.

Oct. 16, 1956 H. G. BELL ET A1.

HOGSHEAD LOADER AND COMPACTOR Flled June lO, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOENEYS.

Oct. 16, 1956 H. G. BELL ET AL 2,766,732

HoGsHEAD LOADER AND COMPACTOR me@ June 1o, 1954 s sheets-sheet s 1N V ENTORS.

United States Patent O HOGSHEAD LOADER AND COMPACTR Harry Guthrie Belland Raymond T. Heizer, Jr., Paris, and Jacob D. Gay, Jr., Pine Grove,Ky., assignors to Gay-Bell Corporation, Paris, Ky., a corporation ofKentucky Application June 10, 1954, Serial No. 435,712

15 Claims. (Cl. 141-73) This invention relates to the provision of animproved hogshead loader and compactor of the general type illustratedin the co-pending application of Harry Guthrie Beil and Jacob DouglasGay, Ir., Serial No. 232,628, and bearing filing date of June 20, 1951,now Patent Number 2,712,497.

An important object of this invention is to provide improved means forinsuring proper uniform distribution and packing of the tobacco aboutthe peripheral edge of the hogshead so that the tobacco in the centerarea thereof will not be packed so tightly. Y

Another important object of this invention is to provide a hogsheadloader and compacter in which headroom requirements are kept at aminimum.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hogshead loader andcompacter in which the tendency for tobacco to jam between thedistributing and pressing means is substantially eliminated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide means for readilycentering the hogshead extension with respect to the hogshead proper.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art during the course of the following description andwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which drawings likenumerals are employed to designate like parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation with parts in section and parts brokenaway of an improved hogshead loader and compactor constructed accordingto the teachings of this invention,

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is aview taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative position of certainparts during the introduction of tobacco into the hogshead,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative position of certainof the means during the compacting operation,

Figure 7 is a front elevation with parts in section and parts brokenaway of a modication of the improved hogshead loader and compacter ofthis invention,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the position of partsas occurs during the compacting operation,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the centering means employedwith the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, Figure 10 is a front elevationwith parts in section and parts broken away of another modification ofthe improved hogshead loader and compacter of this invention, Figure 11is a section taken on the line 11-11 of Figure l0.

Figure 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, showingthe provision of bearing means for various sections of the hogsheadextension.

Figure 13 is a view taken on the line 13-13 of Figure l0,

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view, generallyk similar to 2,766,782 cePatented Oct. Y 16, 1956- that of Figure 5, but showing the relativeposition of certain parts of the modification of Figure 10 during theintroduction of tobacco into the hogshead,

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the modification of Figures l0 and14 showing the relative position of certain of the means during thecompacting operation,

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, showingone manner of providing a window in the hogshead extension, and,

Figure 17 is a section taken on the line 17-17 of Figure 16.

Referring now to Figure l, it will be observed that there is shown ahogshead loader and compacter of the same general type shown in theco-pending application 232,628 above referred to. Thus, there isprovided a pair of cylinders 20 having members 21 reciprocable therebyand therein to which latter members there is fixed a crossbeam 22.Supported from the beam 22 is a charger shell 23 and a distributing cone24 having a plurality of vanes 25.

The tobacco is introduced into the charger above the cone by means of asuitable conveyor belt 26 or the like. Tobacco so introduced falls uponthe rotating cone 24 and, due to the action of the vanes 25, 'is thrownoutwardly towards the perimeter of the charger 23, and of the hogsheadextension 27, so that at any given time during operation of thedistributing cone 24 tobacco is falling within the hogshead abo-ut theinner edge thereof substantially throughout the full 360 degrees.

The hogshead itself is indicated at 28 and particularly in the formshown in Figure 1 it will be observed that the extension 27 rests on theupper edge thereof. The hogshead 28 normally rests on a dolly 29 whichis elevated and supported by and on a platform 30. In Figure 1 it willbe observed that the cylinders 20 are shown as supported on channelmembers 31. Also, the support 3i) is shown more or less diagrammaticallyas based on a similar channel member 32 extending between the members31. It will be understood, however, that the specific means forsupporting the hogshead 28 does not constitute a part nor a limitationof this invention. it may well be, however, that the hogshead supportand lift means shown in the co-pending application Serial No. 397,92()and entitled, improved Dolly Support for Hogshead Loader and Compactorfiled December 14, 1953, will be used.

Referring again particularly to Figure 1, the means for supporting therotatable cone 24 from the beam 22 will be described. A shaft 33 havinga key 34 provided on the upper extension thereof has a sliding titwithin a bearing 35 fixed in the beam 22. A stop-nut 36 limits downwardmovement of the shaft 33 and a stop-ringplate 37 limits upward movementthereof. It will be apparent that while the shaft 33 may reciprocatewithin the bearing 35 between the limits 36 and 37, rotation of thisshaft is not permitted because of the vertical key 34 fixed to the shaft33 and received in a suitable keyway provided in the bearing 35.

The cone which has been generally designated at 24 comprises a pair ofrotatable bearings 38 and 39, a bottom member 4) and a cone-shaped shell4l fixed to the upper bearing 3S and to the bottom member 40. The upperbearing 38 terminates in a shoulder upon which rests a washer 42 whichis placed about the shaft.33 between the bearing 38 and ringplate 37. Acollar 43 maintains the cone 24 on the shaft 33.

Mounted Within the cone as defined by the shell 41 and the bottom member4G which maybe secured lthereto as indicated at 40a is a motor 44 whichmay betas-' tened directly to the shaft 33 as indicated at 4,5. Themotor has a drive-shaft 46` totheprojecting end of whichd is fixed apinion 47 which meshes with gearteeth 48 provided on: the bearing member39. Rotation of the pinion 47 Awill cause correspondingrotation ot themember 39 and the cone 24, the bottom member 40 being iixed also to thebearing member 39, as will be apparent from the showing of Figure l.

The electrical connection to the motor i4 has been shown as comprisingacable 49 which is introduced within the cone by its being passedcentrally of the hollow shaft 33.

In order to insure proper distribution of tobacco about the cone 24 asintroduced from the conveyor' 26 and prior to its actualintroductionwithin the confines of the hogs head extension 27, adeflector S is placed above the beam 22. The curvature of this deflector5G insures that the tobacco coming from the conveyor 26 will fall ontothe. 'cone 24 rather than hang on the beam 22. in addi tion, vibrators51 are mounted on the beam 22 and corr nected to the deflector 50. Thesevibrators are electrically actuatedi and it will' be observed that theirfunction in vibrating the deflector 50 will insure an even distributionof tobacco from the conveyor 26 about the cone 24.

As shown in Figures l and 5 tobacco is introduced within the contines ofthe hogshead extension 27 by the action of the vaned cone 24 throwingthe tobacco towards the periphery of this extension. Such tobacco passesthrough the opening 55 defined by the positionl ofthe cone 24 withrespect to the charger 23. It will be understood and observed that thesize of this openingr 55 may be made larger by changing the position ofthe stop-nut 36 so as to permit the cone 24 to extend to a lowerposition with respect to the lower edge 23a of the charger 23.Similarly, the opening 5S may be made smaller by placing the nut 36 soas to draw the cone 24 upwardly within the charger 23.

After a suitable increment of tobacco has been distributed about theedges of the hogshead 28 and its extension 27, it then becomes necessaryto compact this increment before the addition of another. Accordingly,the cylinders 20 and their members 21 are so actuated that the beam 22is moved downwardly. When the bottom member 40 strikes the tobacco,movement of the cone 24 will be arrested until the charger 23 hasdescended to a position wherein the lower edge 23a of the charger 23 isin the same plane as, or perhaps even leads, slightly, the bottom member40. This relative movement between the charger 23 and cone 24 isoccasioned by the sliding tit of the keyed shaft 33 within the bearing35. Regulation of such relative movement is governed by the positioningof the stop-ringplate 37.

When the ringplate 37 abuts the bearing 35 further downward movement ofthe beam 22 will produce simultaneous downward movement of the charger23 and cone 24. Figure 5 dia-grammatically represents the relativeposition of the cone 24 and charger 23 during addition of tobacco to thehogshead and its extension while Figure 6 shows the relative position ofthe charger 23 and the cone 24 during the actual pressing or compactingoperation.

During the compacting operation as diagrammatically shown in Figure 6,it often happens that some tobacco will lodge between the cone 24 andthe periphery of the charger 23. Such lodging of the tobacco ordinarilymakes it necessary for an operator to go about removing the lodgedtobacco in order to again obtain proper rotation of the operating partsas is needed for distribution of the next increment of tobacco. Theinstant arrangement, however, provides a positive manner of removingsuch lodged tobacco during normal operation of the mechanism withoutfurther and extra effort on the part of the operator.

As described, the cone 24 has a certain amount of vertical reciprocationon the shaft 33. The iirst thing that happens upon actuation of thecylinder4 20 so as to move the beam 22 upwardly is to move the charger23 upwardly while the' cone' 24:- rests upon the packed tobacco due toits relatively great weight. This first relativemovement between thecharger 23 and the cone-24 upon upward movement of the beam 22 increasesthe size opening 55. This causes any tobacco which may have lodgedwithin the area 55 upon the compacting step to be automaticallydisengaged therefrom. The normal, heavy weight of the cone 24 insuresthat it will remain in contactwith the pressed tobaccofuntil the nut36'abuts the member 35. If, however, one desires to make thisrelationship even more positive, spring meansmay be employed between themember 35 and the ringplate 37.

-As stated, oneV of the vobjects of Vthis invention-is to providehogshead loading and compacting means which require only a minimum ofheadroom., One manner of accomplishing this has been shown in connectionwith the embodiment `of Figure l. To this end a pair of slots 5S withinthe extension 27 and of suiicient size to receive the beam 22 have beenprovided. These slots 58 enable the loading and compacting mechanism tobe made more compact while at the same time retaining the neces'- saryvolume defined by the extension 27.

in addition, these slots 58 serve another purpose. By providing themwith telescopic panel members of a transparent nature the slots may beused as windows to enable an operator to see exactly how much tobaccohas -been piled up within the extension and to enable such operatorV tojudge more accuratelywhen the next compacting operation should becommenced. It will be understood that the panels to be described may beformed of any plastic or similar material of the type which would permitone to see the interior of the extension 27.

One manner of providing the sliding, telescopic panel arrangement is toprovide a pair of panels 59 and 60 which are spring biased about theoutside of the exten#V sion 27.. The members 59 and 69 arev slidablewithin a pair of channel guides 61 secured to the outside of theextensionl 27.

Thelower panel 69 is formed with an outstanding ange 62 which alsoprojects laterally to either side of the panel proper as indicated at63. The arrangement of these panels is perhaps best seen in Figures l, 3and 4. Springsy 64 are iixedto the laterally extending portions 63 ofthe bottom flange 62 on the panel 60, such springs also being iixed totheextension 27 as indicated at 65. A pair of rods 66 are fixed in theflange 62 provided for the panelf section 69. Springs 67 surround theserods. The upper ends of these rods are received within aperturesprovided in a flange 68 extending from the panel 59. These springs 67abut lthe underside of the anges 68 and normally tend to urge the flange68 away from the flange 621 From. the foregoing it will be apparent thatupon downward movement of the beam 22 it will eventually strike theupper ange 68 provided on the panel 59. Continued` downward movement ofthe beam 22 will force the panel 59 downwardly against the action of thesprings 27. During this time the beam 22 will be received in the slots58. Further downward movement of the beam 22 eventually'eauses theflowerpanel 60 to be moved downwardly against the action of the springs 64.stood that the channel members 61 are such that the panels 59 and 60 mayslide therein without interference one with the other. Also, upon upwardmovement of the beam 22 the springs 64 and 67, of course. will force thepanels 59 and 60 to their original normal positions as shown in Figuresl and 4.

In the manner just described the invention provides slots to receive thebeam 22 while at the same time providing means to keep these slotscovered so as to prevent the accidental discharge of tobacco while suchis being loaded within the extensiony 27, such covers also sewing aswindows to permit an operator to .view the interior` of the. extension27. .and thus better control the various loading and compactingoperations.

It isbelieved that theoperation of the improved hogs It will be under-Vhead loader and compacter as shown in Figures 1 through 6 and comprisingone modication of this invention, all as just described, will be clearfrom the descriptions as herein before advanced. Placement of the motorwithin the cone and the provision of the slots in the hogshead extensionhas enabled the loading and compacting mechanism to be associated insuch a way as to cut down considerably the amount of headroom needed ina plant to receive the mechanism. This oftentimes prevents extendedremodelling of factories thus saving considerable amounts of money.

In Figures 7 through 9 there is illustrated a modication of thisinvention and involving an arrangement for suspending the hogsheadextension from the beam 22. In discussing these figures it is pointedout that those structures corresponding to similar structures in Figuresl through 6 will bear like reference numerals. Thus, the cylinders 20,the members 21, the beam 22, the charger 23 and the cone 24 of themodilication of Figures 7 through 9 are all arranged substantially as inthe modification of Figures l through 6. in this connection it will beobserved and understood that the relative position and movement of thecone 24 with respect to the charger 23 exists in both modifications.

The chier" difference in the modifications of Figures 1 and 7 lies inthe manner of supporting and positioning the hogshead extension 27.Whereas in Figure l this extension simply rests on the hogshead 28, itbeing placed there by manual labor, in Figure 7 this extension issupported from the beam 22 by cables and is provided with means forcentering the extension with respect to the hogshead when it is moved inplace. The arrangement of Figure 7 eliminates a lot of hard andtime-consuming physical Work and makes it possible to handle a greaternumber of hogsheads in a given time.

Referring now to Figure 7 it will be observed that the hogsheadextension 27 is again provided with slots 58 to receive the cross-beam22. These slots are provided with panels 59 and 6) which serve toprevent tobacco from being discharged through the slots and which serveas windows to enable the operator to observe the tobacco within theextension. As will be apparent from the description to follow the panels59 and 68 are not spring-biased in the embodiment of Figure 7 as theywere in that of Figure l. To this end the panel 59 has an outwardlyextending flange 70 and a lower inturned tiange 71. The panel 60 has anupper outturned flange 72 which engages the ange 71.

Stationed on the beam 22 are a pair of members which house spring-biasedtake-up reels on which suitable cables are wound. The housing 73 mountsa reel for the cable 74 while the housing 75 carries a reel for thecable 76. The cable 74 is attached to the flange 76 of the panel 59while the cable 76 is attached to a corresponding flange 78a, the panels59 and 59a being located one at either side of the hogshead extension27.

This extension 27 has an outturned ilange located about its upperperiphery and this is designated at 77. It will be understood that theslot 58 also passes through this iiange 77 so as to properly receive thebeam 22. The iianges 78 and 70a of the panels 59 and 59a engage beneaththe flange '77 and thereby the extension 27 is supported by the cables74 and 76 which are fastened to the panels 59 and 59a respectively.

The flanges 72 and 7l on the panels 6i) and 59 respectively are alsoengaged with the result that normally the panels will assume theposition shown in Figure 7. It will be apparent that no springs arenecessary to force the panels to this position. The cables 74 and 76 areeach provided with adjustable clamps 78 and 79 to determine the upperposition of the extension 27. To this end suitable brackets 8i) and 81are mounted on the beam 22. In addition, in order to prevent undueswinging or displacement of the extension 27 it is provided with amember 82 having a forked section within which 6 the cylinders 20engage. That forked section 83 to the left of Figure 7 is shown and itwill be understood that this section is free to slide about the cylinder20 and that a similar construction is utilized for the other suchcylinder which is not disclosed in this ligure. Also, the member 82 isprovided with a clearance 84 so that it will not interfere with thesliding action of the various panels and the like.

In order to insure that the extension 27 will be centered properly withrespect to the hogshead 28 a pair of centering members 85 is provided.As best seen in Figure 9 each of these members 85 comprises asemi-circular member having a horizontal flange 86, an upturned verticalange 87 and a downturned vertical flange 88. Each member 85 is pivotedto the extension 27 as by the braced post 89. As best seen in Figure 7there is a bearing 98 which limits movement of the members 85 towardseach other. The lower edge of the extension 27 is bent inwardly asindicated at 27a in order to permit the members 85 to swing upwardly toa horizontal position as will be described.

In operation, an operator will place the hogshead 28 beneath theextension 27 as suspended from the beam 22 in the manner shown in Figure7. Upon actuation of the cylinders 20 to lower the beam 22 and itsassociated charger 23 and cone 24, so also will the extension 27 andrelated mechanism be lowered. As the extension 27 is moved downwardlythe horizontal anges 86 of the members 85 will contact the upper edge ofthe hogshead 28. Further downward movement of the extension 27 willcause the members 85 to move to a horizontal position. Such movement ofthe members 85 will bring the lower depending flanges 88 into contactwith the upper portions of the inner side walls of the hogshead andthereby cause it to be brought to true center with respect to theextension 27 to which the members 85 are pivoted in the manner aboveexplained. Continued downward movement will result in the members 85eventually assuming a horizontal position as shown in Figure 8, theinturned lower edge 27a of the extension 27 permitting the upstandingvertical flange 87 to engage about the exterior side walls of theextension 27. The engagement of these flanges S7 with the extension`27and the flanges 88 with the hogshead 28 insure proper alignment of theextension 27 and hogshead 28.

As further downward movement of the beam 22 is continued, such beam willeventually enter the slots 58 provided in the extension 27. As the beam2-2 moves downwardly and as it contacts the panel 59, the spring-biasedtake-up reel will serve to maintain the cables 74 and 76 in tension.These reels are not shown in detail but it is to be understood that theyare of conventional construction.

Upon upward movement of the beam 22 the cables 74 and 76 will pull thepanels 59 and 60 into position to cover the slots 58. When the beam 22has moved to such an extent that the flanges 7u and 70a engage beneaththe flange 77 of the extension 27 it will be apparent that furtherupward movement will result in the extension being pulled fromengagement with the hogshead 28. The inter-engagement of the flanges 71and 72 insures that the panel 6) will also be moved into proper positionwithout the spring arrangement employed in connection with theembodiment of Figures 1 through 6.

As stated, the actual distributing and packing oper-ation of themodification of Figures 7 through 9 is the same as that disclosed anddiscussed in connect-ion with the embodiment of Figures 1 -through 6.Also, it will be observed that the embodiment of Figures 7 through 9again reduces headroom requirements to a minimum as is accomplished byproviding t-he slots 58 in the extensions sidewalls to receive the beam22.

The centering devices 85 make it possible for the extension 27 andhogshead 2S to be brought into exact align- 7 ment with a minimum ofeffort and a considerable saving oftime. Referring now to the embodimentof Figures 10 through 1'7 there is illustrated another basic manner inwhich headroom requirements are kept toy a minimum. Basically, in thisarrangement instead of employing slots in -the extension and sliding,panels therefore, the extension is itself made telescopic and to thisend is formed of aV plurality of sections, preferably two. Again, likenumerals will be employed to designate those structural features of theinstant embodiment which correspond to those of the embodiments ofFigures 1 and 7 aspreviously discussed.

As perhaps best seen` in Figure-l the extensionl 27 comprises a pair ofmembers 90 and 91 which have a telescopic relationship with respect toone another and also. with respectto the charger 23 which is fastened tothe beam 22 as before. The lower extension member 9i) has a pair ofcables 92 and 93 which are attached to it and to a suitablecounterweight 94. These cables pass over suitable pulleys which may bemounted in the ceiling wall or the like. An abutment shelf 95v limitsdownward movement of the counterweight 94. The relationship between thehogshead lower extension 90 and the counterweight 94 is such that thisextension will be maintained in Whatever position it is brought manuallyby the operator as is common in counterweight constructions of thissort.

The arrangement of the collapsible sections 90 and 91 and 'of theVcharger 23 is as follows. The charger 23, as is the case in the othermodification heretofore discussed, is fixed to the beam 22. A suitablebearing 96 is fastened about the lower edge of the charger 23. Thenature of this bearing 96 will he explained in more detail shortly.

The section 91 of the hogshead extension 27 has a bearing 97 at theupper end thereof about the inner wall. In addition this section has abearing about its outer wall at the lower end thereof which isdesignated at 9S.

Similarly the section 99 of the hogshead extension 27 has a bearing 99at its upper end about its inner wall and it has means ltti to engageand rest on the upper edge of the hogshead 28, these-last mentionedmeans being placed about the lower edge.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13 the various bearing arrangements justdiscussed will be explained more fully. in Figure 13 there is shown thebearing 99 and the bearing 93, the first mentioned being fixed to theextension 9u and the second mentioned being fixed to the section 91. Thebearing 99 comprises a tube which is welded or otherwise fixed to theextension section 90 and the bearing 9S is a similar tube fixed to theextension section 91.

As best seen in Figures 11 and 12 these bearings or tubes areinterrupted at designated places in order to provide rotatable bearingmembers which aid the sections to slide over one another. Thus, the tube99 may be interrupted as at 101 in order that a rotatable bearing 102having a shaft 183 may be suitably mounted within the tube 99. Thebearing 102 will extend beyond the tube 99 so that actual contact withthe section 91 is made by the bearing 162 rather than the tube 99. Inthis way free rolling and sliding of the involved sections is assured.

Although I have described in detail only the tube 99 and rotatablebearings 162 it is yto be understood that I prefer to make the otherbearing arrangements such as indicated at 97, 96 and 98 of similarconstruction. In these arrangements, and considering Figure l2 by way ofillustration, the tubes such as indicated at 99 serve not only to makepossible the rotatable bearings 192 but they also provide means forlimiting movement of the sections and for blocking tobacco which might'otherw1se creep between the sections during the packing operation.

There is also provided a window 104 which is located in the upperextension section 91, below the cone 24, so

that-the operator may'v observe the introduction of tobacco 8 Y withinthe hogsheadand related extension. Since it is necessary for thesections 9G' and 91 to collapse with respect to one another Vthe windowV104 must be so mounted as not to provide any outward obstructions.Accordingly, as shown inA Figures 1'6` and 17, the inner wall of thesection 91 is recessed at 165 to Vprovide means for seating the window104 therewithin', dovetail strips 1%, secured by screws 107 holding thewindow in desired position.

Referring again to Figure 10 it will be observed that there is alsoprovided a means 108 by which the cone 24 may be vibrated or jiggled ina vertical pl'aneif desired as might sometimes be the case in order toinsure proper distribution of thetobacco. The means 108 may comprise anysuitable motor or the like forV imparting a reciprocating or vibratingaction to the arm 109. which engages the shaft 33.

In operating the modification of Figures 10 through 17 the operator willfirst see that' the hogshead extension 27 is in its upper position asdetermined by the counterweight 94 and the limit 95. A hogshead1 28 willthen be moved into position beneath this extension 27 after which theoperator will pull the extension section 9() onto the top of thehogshead 28 thereby engaging the means 100 with the top edge of thishogshead. At this point it should be noted that centering' arrangementof the modification of Figure 7 could be employed instead of thesimplemeans of this were desired.

After placing the hogshead extension in the manner just describedtobacco will be introduced within the hogshead and extension in themanner earlier described in connection with various of the otherfigures... When a suitable increment of tobacco has. been `addedpressing will be accomplished bymoving the beam 22 downwardly. As thebeam 22 so moves the charger 23 will move downwardly within theextension section 91 until the beam 22 abuts the upper edge of thissection. At this point the section 91 will then be forced within thesection 9i) until the parts eventually assume the position indicated inFigure 15. Upon upward movement of the beamv 22 the parts and sectionswill eventuallyA reach the position of Figure 14 due to theinterengagement of the various bearings and tubes whereby one section ineffect pulls the adjacent section to proper position.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that not only doesthe basic inventive concept underlying the various modifications hereshown providefor uniform distribution and packing of tobacco within thehogshead but also it will be apparent that minimum headroom requirementsare needed. In each modification there is some kind of collapsingarrangement to insure that the beam 22 need initially be only at a'minimum distance above the hogshead 28. -In the modifications of Figures1 and 7 such arrangement takes the form of slots in the extension sidewalls which slots have collapsing panels while in the modification ofFigure l0 the extension itself is made in collapsible sections asdescribed..

It is believed that the operation of the modifications comprising thisinvention have been made clear from the foregoing description.

It will be apparent that other modifications may be effected in thisinvention without departing from its scope and spirit. Although theinvention has Abeen disclosed in terms of certain specific structures itis to be further understood that the invention is not to be construed aslimited to such structures except insofar as they are specifically setforth in the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described thisinvention, what is claimed as new and what isdesired to be protectedby United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a hogsheadr loader and compactor, means to support a hogshead, ahogshead extension for said chogshead, a charger shell, a conecontinuous throughout its perlphery of 360', saidconebeing.rotatablelsubstantially within said charger shell,.a verticallyreciprocable cross beam,

means to reciprocate said cross beam, means to rotate said cone, meansto deposit tobacco on said rotating cone, and a shaft verticallyslidable in said cross beam, said cone being fixed to said shaft.

2. The mechanism of claim l in which said charger shell is xed to saidcross beam, said cone normally extending beyond the lowermost part ofsaid shell to define an opening through which tobacco moved by said conemay pass towards the inner peripheral wall of said hogshead extension.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 in which said cone has a bottom member toact as a compacting means, downward movement of said cross beam rstbringing said bottom member into contact with tobacco within saidhogshead and extension, further downward movement of said cross beambringing the lower edge of said charger shell substantially llush withsaid bottom member thereby substantially closing the said opening, andadjustable means to limit sliding movement of said cone shaft so thatupon still further downward movement of said cross beam said shell andcone will move together with the lower edge of said shell and saidbottom member in the desired relationship one with another.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 including additional adjustable means tolimit sliding movement of said cone shaft so that upon upward movementof said cross beam said charger will be withdrawn from contact with thetobacco, said bottom member remaining in contact with the tobacco untilsaid additional limit means is reached, such initial relative movementbetween said charger and said bottom member upon upward movement of saidbeam serving to open said opening and clear same of tobacco, continuedupward movement of said beam after said additional limit means isreached causing said bottom member to be withdrawn from the pressedtobacco and said shell and cone to assume their normal relativepositions.

5. The mechanism of claim l in which said cone rotating means comprisesa motor xed to said shaft within said cone, and gear means connectingthe drive shaft of said motor with said cone.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 including vertical slots in said extensionto receive said cross beam and vertically slidable panel membersresiliently biased to normally cover said slots.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 in which said hogshead extension comprises apair of sections one of which sections abuts the hogshead and the otherof which sections receives the charger shell, said shell being slidablewithin said other section and said other section being slidable withinsaid one section.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 in which there are bearings between the saidsections, said bearings comprising a tube fixed to a section, said tubebeing interrupted at a plurality of places, and rotable members mountedin said tube at said places and extending beyond said tube, wherebyengagement of said sections is accomplished through said rotatablemembers to insure proper sliding movement therebetween.

9. The mechanism of claim 7 in which said one section is provided with acounter weight by which it can be maintained above said hogshead whennot in use, said other section being supported by said charger shell.

l0. The mechanism of claim 1 in which said hogshead extension isnormally supported above said hogshead and moveable towards saidhogshead, said extension having centering means to engage said hogsheadas said extension is moved theretowards.

ll. The mechanism of claim 10 in which said centering means comprises apair of members each having a horizontal ilange to engage the top edgeof the hogshead, a rst vertical flange to engage the inner face of thehogshead, and a second vertical ange to engage the outer face of theextension, said members being pivoted to said extension.

l2. The mechanism of claim l1 in which there are means to limit movementof said pivoted members towards one another and in which the lower edgeof said extension is relieved to permit said second vertical flange toclear as said extension is centered on said hogshead.

13. The mechanism of claim l in which said extension is provided with apair of vertical slots to receive said cross beam, slidable panelmembers for each slot, and cables mounted on said cross beam andattached to said panel members.

14. The mechanism of claim 13 in which each slot is provided with aplurality of panel members having inter-engaging anges and means topermit their sliding with respect to one another, certain of said panelmembers having means to engage said extension whereby said extension issupported from said cross beam by means of said cables and panelmembers.

l5. The mechanism of claim 14 including centering means on saidextension to engage said hogshead as said extension moves towards saidhogshead.

Bell et al Aug. 5, 1952 Boehling Nov. 25, 1952

